The Washington critic., 1887-12-31

IWclNc years! exclaimed hiram III
a glow of admiration. "You're n per-
feet treasure, Mrs. Jones"
La, now, you don't mean 1t" said
the widow, bashfully.
Eyes, | do, and you're the woman |
I've been seeking for years for wife.
So lovely and so-economical Dear |
widow Jones, may hope that you will |
favor me with your hand--tbat you will
become Mrs. Appleton"
"This is so unexpected" murmured
the widow, 'and yet | feel that man
of your Just sentiments and prudent
habits is not TO be sligntcd. | will ac-
cept your offer in the same spirit in
which it is made"
"There is one other thing" said Hi
ram, after short pause, that | should
like to mention. lam straightforward
man and | want everything to be un-
derstood. Would you have any objec-
tion to taking a few boarders after we
are marrie1r
"Not the slightest" said the widow.
"Indeed, | intended to mention some
thing of the sort to you"
"Did you though rcally?" inquired
Hiram with delight.
"Yes. The fact is, Mr.. Appleton, / am
social by temperament, and it is rather
agreeable than otherwise to have large
family about me"
Hiram began to think that the widow
was an admirable woman, and that he
could not have made better match If he
had sought the world over.
"In the course of time" said he to
himself, 81 shouldn't wonder If it
proved thousands Of dollars in my
pocket. If | could only have met with
such woman twenty years ago. How
ever, better late than never"
Preparations were fastened for the
wedding. Hiram feared that something
would turn up to prevent the marriage,
on which he had set his heart. As for
the widow, she made no serious objec-
tions. And, accordingly, one morning
they rode over to the minister's and
were united without any display. Hiram
wore the same blue coat with brass but
tons which had served him so long and
faithfully.
at looks well enough" he said, "and
there isn't any uso of going to any fool
ish expense"
The widow was dressed in plain de-
laine, with no ornaments.
'How much shall / give you 2"
asked Hiram of the clergyman who
had united them.
"Whatcver you please" said the
clergyman, politely.
GLOW much does the law allow ?'
persisted Hiram.
"One dollar and quarter"
"Then," said Hiram, "here's two,
and you can give me back seventy-iive
cents in change"
The clergyman made change with as
sober face us he could and the happy
pair departed for home.
4 n
subject of boarders.
"There amt any use in delaying the
matter us | know Of" said he. 1--WE
might as well begin first as last. Sup
pose we advertise"
"There isn't any need of that" said
the new Mrs. Appleton. 81 know of
some friends in the place where used
to live who would be glad to come and
board with u.s."
"Do vou?" asked Hiram, with eager
ness, ''That's Il good idea. 1t will save
the expense of advertising"
YES" said Mrs. Appleton. "That is
very true. However, It will be necessary
to go and see them, and that will cost
something"
"How much"
"a dollar and 81 cents each way"
returned his wife.
'That will make S2.75," said Hiram.
"I'll give you three. The extra quar-.
ter will do for miscellaneous expenses"
This was an unexampled stroke OF
generosity on the part Of Mr.. Appleton
but the thought of the profits which he
was going to make made him feel un-
usually generous. AL.
"How long will you be gomez" asked
Hiram.
"That will depend little on circum.
stances. think can be back by the
end of the week"
And you feel pretty sure of bringing
back some boarders?"
II think / can promise You six al
least" said his wife, confidently"
''SiX p returned Hiram with satisfac
ton. "Six, at three dollars week, will
make eighteen dollars. Then the actual
cost of boarding them need not be more
than dollar apiece. That will make
twelve dollars clear weekly, or six hun
dred dollars year"
, This was a very gratifying calculation
and Hiram awaited his wife's return
with eagerness.
On Saturday night the stage stopped
at the door. 1t appeared to he unusu
ally full.
r Mrs. Appleton got out first. Their
succeSSlNely hligltcti tIree DoEs AM
three girls, varying in age from 10 to 5
$50 they're all children" said Hiram
l a little bewildered.
! "Ycs," said his wife. "Please helI
the driver in with their trunks"
. ''rhey won't eat so much as if the,
were grown" thought Hiram, as h,
proceeded to do what was assigned him
, At length they were all in the house
baggage and all-and the driver had de
: parted.
: 'What are their names?" aske,
Q Hiram, looking about him.
"Their last name is Jones. They ar
l my children by my first husband"
} What !" exclaimed Hiram, aghast
, "Aint they boardcrs ?'
1 "Of course. This will be their HON,
I henceforth. Where should they boar,
but with their new father?''
Poor Hiram He raved and stormed
/. but TO no effect. The widow and he
4 children had gained IL foothold and the.
kept it.
. Whenever anybody speaks to hin
now about the profits of keeping board
| ers he shakes his head and looks melan
choly.
7 when Women Vote.
3 | Nt;nnd morninp Mrs RIock Arc vn